Published: Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 8:49 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 8:49 a.m.

FLETCHER — The “Kids in Park” Track Trail officially opened on Saturday, and youngsters lined up to cut the ribbon on the new educational trail at Fletcher Community Park.

The trail is the fourth financed by a grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association. In all, 10 trails will be developed from the grant funds.

The trail starts at an educational kiosk, where children can pick up pamphlets on trees, birds, insects and animals. It winds through the park across the Cane Creek bridge and turns around at Hooper’s Creek. At Hooper’s Creek, Parks and Recreation Director Greg Walker envisions parents and children relaxing, eating a picnic and just enjoying the scenery.

“Hopefully, this will get the kids out and walking daily,” Walker said. “It’ll reintroduce kids to nature.”

He plans to coordinate field trips with schools and Boy Scouts.

Kids in Park Director Tony Geiger was on hand for the ribbon- cutting ceremony on Saturday.

“It’s been great,” he said of the trails that have been developed. “It’s been very popular.”

Kids can register at www. kidsinpark.com to track their miles. The more they hike, the better the prizes they get, Geiger said.

Noah Lister, 6, was ready to go as soon as he got a new pedometer in his hands.

He showed up with his 4-yearold sister, Kaia, and his dad, Steve.

“I’m really excited,” he said. “I really like to see animals, and I really like science things.”

That is the reaction that park officials are hoping to get, advisory board member Zach Horn said.

<p>FLETCHER — The “Kids in Park” Track Trail officially opened on Saturday, and youngsters lined up to cut the ribbon on the new educational trail at Fletcher Community Park.</p><p>The trail is the fourth financed by a grant from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association. In all, 10 trails will be developed from the grant funds.</p><p>The trail starts at an educational kiosk, where children can pick up pamphlets on trees, birds, insects and animals. It winds through the park across the Cane Creek bridge and turns around at Hooper's Creek. At Hooper's Creek, Parks and Recreation Director Greg Walker envisions parents and children relaxing, eating a picnic and just enjoying the scenery.</p><p>“Hopefully, this will get the kids out and walking daily,” Walker said. “It'll reintroduce kids to nature.”</p><p>He plans to coordinate field trips with schools and Boy Scouts.</p><p>Kids in Park Director Tony Geiger was on hand for the ribbon- cutting ceremony on Saturday.</p><p>“It's been great,” he said of the trails that have been developed. “It's been very popular.”</p><p>Kids can register at www. kidsinpark.com to track their miles. The more they hike, the better the prizes they get, Geiger said.</p><p>Noah Lister, 6, was ready to go as soon as he got a new pedometer in his hands.</p><p>He showed up with his 4-yearold sister, Kaia, and his dad, Steve.</p><p>“I'm really excited,” he said. “I really like to see animals, and I really like science things.”</p><p>That is the reaction that park officials are hoping to get, advisory board member Zach Horn said.</p><p>“It gets more exposure for the park,” he said.</p><p>“It gets more kids out in nature.”</p>